John, make a bend through the handle D-bow with your 58" stave. Make the handle is 1 1/4" wide and the limbs 1 3/8" wide. Taper the last 12-14" to 1/2" if you're going with self-nocks or 3/8" with overlays.
Regarding the staves, leave them whole until you get home and them split and debark them and store them in a cool place.